Cleaning apparatus.



A. N. MAGNIGOL. CLEANING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION ITLED NOV. 30, 1912.

1,122,963. Patented Dec.29,1914.

2 SEBETS-^SHEET 1.

i.; il l u. TT* 71;, f

7e i A' if l5 THE NoRRlS PETERS C0., PINOTCALITHQ.A WASHING 70N4 D. C

A. N. MACNICOL.

CLEANING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED Nov. 3o, 1912.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

y THE MORRIS PEYERS Co.PHoTo1./TH0,WASH1 fr:

v other surfaces,

provided tol retain the ARNoLn` NnsBITT MAcNIcoL, or MELBOURNE, VICTORIA', AUSTRALIA.

CLEANING APPARATUS.

Application mea november eo; 1912.

To all 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, ARNOLD NESBTTT MAC- lNICoL, a citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia, residing at 3l Queen street, Melbourne, in the State of Victoria,.Common wealth of Australia, have invented new and useful Improvements in CleaningApparaf tus, of which the following is specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning and scraping iron, steel and being specially adapted for vcleaning and scraping the sides vand bottoms of ships when in the water or in dock.

The essential features of this invention comprise means whereby` the apparatus is self-propelled and reversible, being held to the side of the ship or other surface while traveling over the surface while thescraping and cleaning operation is being performed. Suitable steering mechanism is apparatus in the line of travel.

Thel apparatus is held to the surface to be cleaned either by electro-magnets or by the reaction of a water jet produced by means of a pump or the water may be led to the iet by a hose or like connection in any suitable manner. 1

The electro-magnets are provided with rotating` pole pieces which are driven by suitable gear from the source of power. The power for driving is derived from a. compressed air engine, electric motor or other driving element positioned preferably within and driving the rotating cleaning brush. Power may be conveyed to the apparatus yby means of flexible shafting. Alternatively, the appliance may be .held to the surface to be cleaned or cleaned and scraped by the action of a pump operated by the driving element and arranged to eject the water from the interior of the frame and to force it away at approximately right angles to the surface to be cleaned, or a jet may be provided receiving the water from an external source by means of a hose or like connection.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood it will nowbe described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention adapted for cleaning and scraping the'l "sidesJv and bottoms'of ships." A

'specification of Letters' Patent.

, tating pole pieces.

Patented nec. 29, 1914.. serial No. 734,337.

Figure l is a side elevation of a vessel having an appliance constructed according to this invention mounted thereon. Fig. 2 is a plan, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the preferred form of apparatus, where electromagnets are employed, constructed according to this invention and the apparatus being reversible is fitted with suitable steering mechanism. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of another form of apparatus constructed according to this invention. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a modification, wherein the apparatus is held to the surface to be cleaned by the action of a pump. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the cleaning brush illustrating the internal compressed air motor. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation4 of the compressed air engine illustrated in Fig. 6. detail views illustrating ers constructed according to this invention. Fig. l0 is a side elevation of a reciprocating scraper constructed according to this invention. Fig. 11 is a detail view of the driving sprocket carried by the brush. Fig. l2 is a side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 4 having the Scrapers attached thereto. Fig. 12l is a view in plan illustrating the Scrapers tted to the apparatus.I f

Like reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts in all the figures.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. one form of the invention consists essentially of one or more electromagnets l mounted upon a suitable frame. When more than one magnet is emploved they are suitably distanced from each other by a non-magnetic or other suitable frame 2 preferably constructed of light material such as aluminum. The magnets l are xed tothe center of U or other shaped cores 3, theends of which project at right angles to the frame 2, and are provided with rollers or runners 4 adapted to normally rest against the ships side or other surface to be cleaned and from ro- Suitable eyes V5 are provided at the ends of one of the cores 3 which connect with suitable tackle for raising, traversing or lowering the appliance as hereinafter described.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, revolving brushes 6 and 6a are mounted at either end of the lnabhin'e4 franeQ immediately outside the centrifugal scrap- Figs. 8 and `9 are cores 3 of the magnets 1. These brushes 6, 6a extend the width of the frame and are preferably revolved by a. compressed air engine 7 either fixed in the interior of one of the brushes 6, as illustrated in Fig. 6, or in an external position, in which case the brushes 6, 6a would be driven by chain and sprocket or other gear. lt is preferred, however, that the compressed air engine 7 be positioned within the rotating brush 6, the cylinders being adapted to rotate around a crank shaft through which the air is conveyed to the engine. The other brush 6a is driven by ay chain and sprocket or other gear hereinafter more fully described. The engine 7 consists of two or more cylinders 8 attached to the inner surface of and within the brush frame 9. The pistons 10. are actuv ated by the compressed air fed from a convenient source of supply, through a flexible or other connection 11, to a partially hollow crank shaft, the flexible connection being vfitted to a suitable union or mouth piece 13 at the inlet end 14 of the shaft. The piston rods 16 are mounted upon a solid portion 15 of the crank shaft between the inlet and exhaust ports thereof. The crank shaft consists of a hollow spindle 17, except that portion 15 of the shaft to which the connecting rods 16 are attached. This hollow shaft acts as the inlet and exhaust pipe as well as a rotary valve, doing away with complicated valve mechanism. Suitable ports and connections 2O are provided on either side of the crank leading to each inlet port of the cylinders, the exhaust ports 21 thereof being connected to the opposite side by a suitable connection 22 to a corresponding and larger orifice or port 23 on the opposite side of the crank. The ports are so timed and positioned that each cylinder receives the required amount of gas at the proper time and the exhaust orifices are of lreater length to allow of the exhaust gases to be discharged quickly and allow the cylinder to go to the top of its stroke for the next charge, thus providing suitable power propelling mechanism for the brushes 6, 6a, the rotating pole pieces 4 of the apparatus, and, if desired, the driving rollers 60 on the rope 55 as illustrated in Fig. 3. 1f desired, the hollow shaft may be adjustably mounted to the frame 2. It will be readily understood that in lieu of the compressed air engine, the brush or brushes may be driven by an electric motor internally mounted within the brush frame, or as illustrated in Fig. 3 the electric motor 24 is mountedin a convenient position upon the frame 2.

The appliancey may be used for scraping purposes, either apart or in combination with the brushes, in which case a series of Scrapers 25 eccentrically mounted and having areciprocating motion are fitted to a shaft mounted in brackets26 in front of the brushes `6, 6a. rl`he scrapers or fingers 25 are adapted to be pressed to the surface to be cleaned by suitable fiat springs 26a connected to thefbrackets 26 and bearing on the upper edge of the connecting rods 27 carrying the scrapers 25. Each scraper consists of a plate 25 arrangedl diagonally and having a beveled or chamfered scraping edge 28. The lower ends of the connecting rods 27 pass through slotted lugs 29 formed across the upper surface of the scraper or plate 25 and carry helical springs 30 between these lugs to vact as buffers when the plate meets an obstruction, the end of the rod being held by a nut 31 bearing against the lower-lug as illustrated. `The connecting" rods 27 `are mounted on a suitable shaft 32 driven by a chain 33 and sprocket V34 from the brush frame 9 of the brushes 6, 6a, the sprocket 35 being mounted to a suitable sleeve'or distance piece 36 attached to the brush frame. l

ln order that the Scrapers may override 'any obstruction that may be encountered, each scraper 25 1s provided en either sidewith bent arms 37 Vextending past the front edge thereof and carrying suitable rollers or runners as 38 at their outer ends. These rollers or runners 38 are of suitable length and are adjust-ably mounted in slots 39 formed in the arms 37, the rollers being normally set a slight distance vabove the line of the edge of the scrapers 25 as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 12. rlhis arrangement will allow the Scrapers to override any rivets, nuts or `other metal obstructions, the springs '26a and 30 acting as buffers to absorb any tapered to a knife or other edge 45 for scraping the surface to be cleaned. When any obstruction is encountered such as rivets, nuts or the edge of a plate, the sleeves 40 are adapted to slide upon the head 43. Instead of using reciprocating or centrifugal Scrapers, they may be loosely attached to a suitable spindle or shaft mounted to the front of the frame and having the above described bearing Yand buffer springs to retain them Ain contact with .the surface to be cleaned. The scrapers may be positioned so that each one is projecting slightly to' the front of the other.

The revolving pole pieces 4 of the electroprix Gli

magnets may be driven from the brush frame 9 by suitable gear in such a manner that the appliance slowly traverses the surface to be cleaned. In order to attain this object, suitable reduction gear 46 (Figs. 3 and 4) is provided preferably arranged in a gear box 47 mounted on-the frame V2, the gear being reduced to provide the necessary traveling speed. For heavy work a secondary chain 48 and sprockets 49 could be brought into action and the remaining set of pole pieces 4 rotated. Either the forward or rear rotating pele pieces 4 or both may be driven as desired.

The apparatus is adapted to travel continuously backward and forward over the surface to be cleaned, the machine being suspended and guided or moved over the surfaceas illustrated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings. The eyes 5 fitted to the core 3 are connected to the ropes, chains or other connections 50 suspended from a carrier 5l carrying grooved rollers or runners 52 mounted upon a ledge or projection formed on a bar 53 fitted to and extending around the waist of the ship. A vertical post 54 is adjustably mounted at either end of the ship upon which a fixed rope, chain or rod 55 is adapted to slide, the vertical movement thereof being controlled by a hand or other winch 56 positioned at each end of the ship. The rope 55 is supported at suitable distances along the length of the ship by means of brackets or connections 57 having a tubular extension or sleeve 58 `adapted to hold the rope. These connections 57 are adapted to be raised and lowered correspondingly to the fixed rope 55.

A bracket or support 59 extends from the frame 2 and carries a series of grooved pulley wheels or guide rollers 60, a fixed rope 55 passing between each pair of rollers 60, the lower rollers being operated or driven from the reduction gear 46 by means of sprocket wheels 61 and chains G2 and 63. In this way, the appliance would traverse the surface to be cleaned from end to end or around it and mechanism may be embodied for keeping the appliance in line with the rope 55 by regulating or steering gear which consists of a series of connecting arms 64 connecting each of the spindles 65 of the rotating pole pieces and controlled centrally by means of the pivoted levers 66 projecting up through the frame toward the front and rear of the machine as illustrated in Fig. 3, and which are provided with pivoted extensions 67 having bifurcated ends 68 adapted to engage the rope 55. In practice, one of these extensions 67 is not in use according to which direction the machine is traveling, one being used when the machine is traveling forwardly and the other on the reverse motion of the machine. For this purpose the extensions are pivoted at 69 in such a manner as to allow the extension 67 to drop back out of engagement with the rope 55. In order that the pole pieces may be effectively steered, the ends 70 of the cores 3 carrying the pole pieces are swiveled or pivoted at 71 in any suitable manner.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the brushes 6 and 6a are mounted upon the brackets 72 extending outwardly from the frame and this bracket 72 may be provided with an eX- tension 73 (Fig. l2) adapted to carry the reciprocating or centrifugal Scrapers 25 and 40 as above described.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 4, the brush 6 is mounted within the frame 2 between the magnets, but should this form of construction be employed, it is preferred that a smaller brush (Fig. 12) is'mounted between the Scrapers 25 and the rotating pole pieces 4 in order to partially clean the surface before contact is made by the pole pieces 4 with the surface to be cleaned. In order to counteract the effect of gravity when working under water, a float 74, preferably consisting of a cylinder, which may be collapsibly arranged if desired, is adjustably mounted on the machine frame 2 in a convenient position by straps 7 5 or the like. The float may be of a size and capacity to raise the appliance to the surface as soon as the appliance has moved from the vessel and the magnetic field has ceased to act on the surface. If necessary, the appliance or any part thereof may be provided with a suitable casing or cover.

In lieu of the electro-magnets above described, the appliance may be kept to the surface to be cleaned under water by the action of a pump as illustrated in Fig. rI`his pump 7 G is preferably centrally positioned above the main brush on the top of the casing or cover 77 of the appliance to the side of and operated by the driving element, either a compressed air engine 7 or an electric motor 24 above described.

|The main brush 6 is positioned tra-nsversely of and within the frame 77 and the spindle 78 thereof is mounted in bearings on the said carrying frame. The brush receives its motion from the driving element, in this instance positioned on the top of the casing or frame by a chain 7 9 and sprocket wheels 80 and 8l in turn connecting by suitable reduction gear 82 and the chain 83 and sprockets 84 and 85 with a pair of rollers or runners S6 mounted in bearings 87 at the rear of the frame 77. A second pair of rollers 88 are :Htted to the forward or front end of the frame 77 and the rollers 86 and 8S are adapted to contact with the surface to be cleaned. If desired, the front rollers 83 may be driven from the rear rollers by the chain 89 and sprockets 90 and 9i. At each end of the machine a smaller brush 92 is fitted and this brush is rotated by the chain 93 and sprockets 94 and 95 from the main brush, or in any other suitable manner.

r1`he rollers or wheels are driven at a suitable speed by the reduction gear 82 arranged in a gear box if desired. lThe frame or casing 77 of the appliance is preferably adapted to project past the rollers as illustrated at 96, and this casing is not in contact with the surface to be cleaned, thus allovving a suiiicient volume of water to pass between the edge thereof and the surface into the casing. The pump 7 6 is arranged to eject the water from Within the casing 77 and force it away at approximately right angles to the surface to be cleaned as illustrated in Fig. 5 thereby forcing and retaining` the appliance close to the surface, the water being pumped from the interior of the casing or frame 77 causes a partial vacuum which tends to force the appliance against the cleaning surface. The frame 77 is provided with brackets (i2 carrying the groovcd pulley wheels G0 which are driven asL illustrated in Fig. 3 and retained in position upon the fixed rope 55. 1t will be readily understood that the steering appliances may also be fitted as above described and the scrapers 25 may be mounted upon the frame 77 in any suitable and convenient manner. The scrapers 25 may also be used instead of the leading brush 92. The steering appliances preferred consist of arms 108 fitted to each end of the frame 77 and extending vertically Where they engage the rope 55 by means of the forked or bifurcated ends 109.

An indicator may be provided adapted to determine the depth of the appliance under the Water line and this indicator may be fitted to the frame 2 in any suitable manner. The indicator preferably consists of a light telescopic tube held by suitable supports, the upper end being adapted to project above the Water. lVhen tivo brushes are employed, one may be geared to travel in the opposite direction to the other so as to regulate the speed at which the machine traverses the surface. and in order to attain this object. one brush is caused to revolve at a greater speed. r1`his motion may be attained by suitable gear wheels from the brush and may be used with or Without the reduction gear driving the revolving pole pieces.

rlfhe driving gear consists in the case of Fig. 2 of the internal compressed air engine 7 arranged Within the frame of the brush 6 and operating the brush 6a by means of the chain 97 and sprocket Wheels 98 and 99. the sprocket 99 being mounted on a suitable fianged sleeve 100 on the brush frame. rEhe scrapers employed are driven by means of the sprocket 34 driving the shaft 32 in any suitable manner, While the pole pieces are rotated by means of the reduction gear 46 positioned in the gear box L17 in a manner similar to that illustrated in `Fig. L1, the pole pieces being driven by the chain 101 and sprocket 102 on the pole piece spindle direct from the reduction gear. A secondary. chain 103 and corresponding sprocket 10-1 may be used adapted to drive the other pair of rotating pole pieces in any convenient manner.

ln Fig. 3 the driving element consists of an external electric motor 2l adapted to drive the rear brush 6a by means kof the reduction gear 4.6 and a chain 101 gearing with the sprocket upon the brush frame or spindle. The front brush is driven from the rear brush by a suitable chain 105 gearing with a sprocket 106 on the front brush spindle and corresponding sprocket on the rear or driving spindle. The pole pieces are rotated by means of the chain 107 from the rear brush7 While the front pole pieces are rotated by the secondary chain 48 and corresponding sprockets mounted upon the rotating pole spindles. The chains 62 and G3 are adapted to drive the guide rollers 60 from the reduction gear 40.

As illustrated in Fig.y 5, the machine is driven from the compressed air engine or electric motor positioned upon the frame 77 Which drives the pump 76 and also the main brush 6 by means of the chain 79 and sprocket 80. Suitable reduction gear 82 is also provided and drives the rearV roller or Wheel 80 by means of the sprockets 8l and 85 and the chain 83. V.The front roller is driven by the chain 89 and sprockets 90 and 91 from the rear rollers 80. The brushes 95 are driven by means of the chains 93 and sprockets from the main brush 6.

Nith an appliance constructed as above described, it will be readily understood that on the traveling of the appliance over the surfac` to be cleaned the magnets. or Water jet. Will hold the machine against the sides of the ship orother surface. @n being set in motion the brush or brushes with or Without the scrapers will etfectually clean the surface in an efficient mannerpthe driving rollers 60 being adapted to drive the appliance either backward or forward over the surface to be cleaned in the manner above described.

What l claim as mv invention and desire to secure bv Letters Patent is:-

1. An apparatus for cleaning iron` steel and other surfaces. and especially adapted for cleaning the sides and bottoms of ships, comprising a casing, a. pump mounted upon the casing and adapted to pump Water from Within the casing. whereby the apparatus is held against the surface to be cleaned.

2. An apparatusfor cleaning iron. steel and other surfaces and especially adapted i fied.

for cleaning the sides and bottoms of shi-ps when in the Water, comprising a casing, a pump mounted upon said casing, means for actuating the pump to force Water from` Within the casing, Wherebythe apparatus 1sl for driving the pole pieces at a suitable speed consisting of suitable gear, Scrapers fitted to said main frame and driven from the brush frame and a float adapted to counteract the effect of gravity when Working under water, substantially as and for the purposes speciand at right angles `thereto actuated by a' driving element, the pump being adapted to eject and deliver the Water from Within the casing and so retain the appliance to the surface to be cleaned, in combination With means for driving the brush Within the casing and the rollers on the frame, scrapers fitted to said frame and brushes secured at vthe front and rear of the frame adapted to fitted to the frame and carried by a fixedv rope or chain fitted to the side of the ship substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In apparatus for cleaning iron, steel and other surfaces, reciprocating scrapers comprising a beveled or `chamfered plate provided with lugs adapted to carry one end of a connecting rod, a spring mounted upon said rod, the rod being eccentrically mounted upon a driven shaft or spindle, a guide or lifting roller mounted upon arms projecting forwardly from the scraper, a fiat spring adapted to bear against the upper surface of the connecting rod substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. In apparatus for cleaning iron, steel and other surfaces, a rotating brush having a compressed air engine mounted therein and adapted to rotate around a crank shaft, the shaft being partially hollow to receive the air supply and is adapted to feed the gas into the cylinders fixed' to the brushv frame, a solid portion of the shaft dividing the exhaust and delivery connections of the cylinders, inlet and exhaust orifices therefor and pistons mounted Within the cylinders the piston rods being carried by the shaft substantially as and for the purposes specified. i

7. In an apparatus forcleaning iron, steel and other surfaces, means for raising, traversing and lowering the apparatus Which is suspended by suitable flexible connections from a carrier having grooved pulleys or rollers mounted upon a projecting ledge fitted around the Waist of the ship or other surface to be cleaned, vertical posts arranged at each end of the ship carrying a fixed rope adapted to be vertically adjusted which passes through or around grooved pulleys or rollers fitted to the machine frame, the rollers being driven from the driving element, and steering levers connecting the fixed rope to keep the appliance in line With the direction of travel substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. An apparatus for cleaning iron, steel and other surfaces, comprising a frame, carrying electromagnets and cleaning and scraping mechanism, the said magnets being provided With driven pole pieces adapted to contact with the surface to be cleaned, the said pole pieces being loosely mounted on the cores of said magnets and steering levers adapted to be connected by said pole pieces.

9. An apparatus for cleaning iron` steel and other surfaces comprising in combination a frame, rotating brushes mounted thereon, means for holding the apparatus to the surface, Scrapers mounted to said frame, raising, lowering, traversing and steering mechanism, a float, an indicator to determine the depth of the appliance when Working under Water, and means for driving the apparatus over the surface to be cleaned substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. In apparatus of the class described, a rotating brush, the driving element being mounted Within the brush frame, a flanged sleeve carrying a gear Wheel adapted to impart motion to a second or other brushes substantially as and for the purposes specified.

11. 1n apparatus for cleaning iron, steel and other surfaces, a frame carrying guide rollers at each end adapted to contact with, the surface to be cleaned, the rollers being pivoted to the frame and connecting steering levers adapted to connect with' a fixed rope or other connection, a cleaning brush mounted Within said frame, means for imparting motion to said brush, a pump or Water jet for holding the apparatus to the l surface to be cleaned, guide rollers connecting with the said fixed part and means for frame substantially as and for the purposes driving said guide rollers substantially as specied.

and for the purposes specified. In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature 12. In apparatus `for cleaning iron, steel in the presence of two Witnesses.

and other surfaces, a frame having out- ARNOLDNESBITT MACNICOL.

Wardly projecting steering levers positioned IVitnesses:

at each end thereof, the said levers being S. HENDLEY,

forked to engage axed rope or chain in A. EDWARDS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

Contact with driving rollers fitted to the said 10 fx 

